The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-10-13

il was cert ainly to his advantage ard
time would so prove it. But youth is
not and impulsiye, and knew he would
not believc me in his present state. In
short time he recovered himself and
asked oh. so piteously: Judge, what
shall l do? You know woman; YOU re
a man of the world, and then you
promised to help me. What shall l
dO?" l told him to go home and come
to me in the morning. and l would try
and think the matter out. He left me
and settled back into my chair. trying
to think Of some way to help the boy,
when rap. rap, again at the door.
Come in!'' l shouted, and in walked
Mary.
She was all muflied up in rich furs.
but oh. what a sad little face peeped
out at NE from under the heavy seal
skin ha+. l gave her chair near the
fire and waited for her to speak. Soon
she said:
Hes been hcrc?:"
nodded.
What did he say?" she asked.
[ repeated his story. She listened
and then looked up 20 me saying: Il
did it FOR his sake. l did it," and here
her voice trembled. because l love him
and I'm not worthy of his love-I only
drag him down-he's young man.
with the world before him, and I'm an
unfortunate girl, whom the world CEN
sureg; but. oh! it's so hard to give him
up. My God! my heart is breakingr'
and down went the little face between
her hands. and for the second time that
night my room resounded with sobs.
l know it's very unmanIy, but must
confess that the tears welled up in my
old eyes, and taking her little hands in
mine and gently patting them, said:
Tell me your troubles and l will try
and help you" She told me her story
agreeing with L.'s-but said: Il told
him | did not care for him, but l was
false to myself-he's more to me than
all the rest Of the world; but it is my
great love for him. and my pride in him
that made me act so tonight. / can
not drag him down to my level. In
few years he will forget me and marry
some girl worthy to be his wife. 1
could never be that to him, and the
world would laugh at him for his kind
ness and cOnStancy to me-"
Again l was puzzled. What could /
say? She was right beyond doubt, but !
it was individually hard on her, and |
| shuddcred to think of what her future I
would be, when this little happiness
she had known had faded out of her
life.
Iadvised her, as l had l., to 90 !
home and l would try and thi0k out
some solution to the case.
A few minutes later she left me. l |
shall never forget her putting her little
hand in mine, gazing into my face with .
those pleading. sad eyes and saying:
Il thank you, and whatever happens
try to help L to forget me; but it is
so hard, so hardr' and out she went |
into the cold. dark night. and the wind
hOwled around the corners with such
sound that l shivered
and crept back to the warmth of my
office. Well, there's not much more
20 tell. The next morning they found
her in the snOw-dead Il frozen to
leath, her poor little face all pinched
md drawn in the last agonies of death
md one hand firmly grasYing letter
addressed to L.
We read it tOgether-such a pitiful
etter. such womanly letter. such
sweet. tender letter. that 1 bowed MY
Did head and wept like child.
Iva nearly crazed with grief.
We left him alone with his dead, and
yhen few hours later he came from
he darkened room in which rested all
hat was dearest to him in the world,
he came to me and said: You will
attend to everything. l leave here to-
light. To stay in this place another
lay would kill meI' l promised him,
md we laid the poor little soul to rest
lcxt day.
In compliance with his wishes SIM
Die stone marks her grave. and on it
'nly MARY. y Thomas S. Wilson, in
)3lahG World.